Former USC assistant football coach Todd McNair was the victim of a "malicious" NCAA investigation into his actions during the Reggie Bush scandal, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.

McNair demonstrated a probability he could win his defamation case against the NCAA, according to Judge Frederick Shaller, who ruled investigators went "over the top" after he reviewed sealed documents of the inquiry.

Shaller also refused the NCAA's request to dismiss the case. In its original report, the NCAA said McNair lied about his knowledge of gifts Bush and his family received from two would-be sports marketers that wanted to sign Bush as their client once he turned pro.

"We are disappointed with the decision and plan to appeal," the NCAA said in a statement.

Shaller issued a 10-page ruling that said emails between an investigative committee member, an employee and an appeals' division worker demonstrated "ill will" or "hatred" toward McNair. The Trojans' running backs coach was prevented from contacting recruits and his contract was ultimately not renewed by USC.

"Todd McNair's contract expired on June 30, 2010," USC said in a statement. "We have no additional comment."

McNair sued the NCAA in 2011 for libel, slander, interference with contract relations and economic advantage.

In its report, the NCAA said McNair took a USC tutor to a party in San Diego of a former NFL player, where he initially became aware of the one of the would-be sports marketers' relationship with Bush.

"According to the assistant football coach, the associate was a tutor in the athletics department and he contemplated hiring her to assist him in "starting an independent record label." (Note: No such enterprise was ever started.)

The report also stated that at 1:34a.m. Jan. 6, 2006, McNair spoke to one of the agency partners, who wanted McNair to convince Bush to adhere to an agreement or reimburse them.

The NCAA said McNair provided "false and misleading information" during interviews in 2006 and 2008 with the agency regarding the phone call and violations associated with it.

But Shaller ruled the report was flawed and he intends to unseal the records in a month - after giving the NCAA a chance to appeal.

"I think the public has a right to know," Shaller said.

The NCAA argued unsealing the documents would hurt future investigations.